Artificial limb



E. G. HADEN.

ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25.1919.

Patented July 27, 1920.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELBRIDGE G. HADEN, OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA.

ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 27,1920.

Application filed March 25, 1919. Serial N'o. 285,066..

above the knee, and worn with equal facility and comfort.

A further object is to provide a construction which will answer as an artificial foot even without the leg portion; and the principal advantage is that this invention contains easy working joints in the ankle, with springs constituting the front, back and sides of the ankle and leg as well as springs atthe knee, both front and behind, making it not only light but at the same time very substantial, and giving ease, elasticity and facility of movement as well as strength and lightness.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is'a side elevation;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the foot portion.

The numeral 1 represents the foot proper, which may be made of wood, cork, or other suitable material, preferably of a light nature; and 2, is the sole, this being made preferably of a strip of thin, flexible steel or like material attached to the sole of the foot proper at two or three points with the ends at both front and rear extending, beyond the solid portion of the foot to form an elastic or yielding toe and heel.

The numeral 3 indicates the front of the leg. This consists of a strip of steel or other light but strong and flexible metal. This is secured at one or two points to the instep of the foot by screws or other devices 4, and the forward end protrudes and bears lightly, or is in position to bear lightly upon the toe of the sole from above, where the two are free to have limited sliding connection with each other as the foot moves or rolls forward on the toe. The free end of the lower end of the front constitutes a flexible reinforcing of the toe, should it be required to have additional strength besides that in the sole plate itself. 7

v The numeral 5 represents the back-plate of the leg, and this is secured to the back of the foot proper by one or more screws or similar devices 6.

The numerals 7 and 8 arethe sides, which, like the front and rear pieces, are of strong, thin, flexible metal, and these are held by a single rivet or pin 9 on the foot, thus affording a free connection, and the parts 7 and 8 supply elasticity to restore the parts to normal-whei'i not otherwise prevented by the action in walking.

A tump-rest 10 is secured at the desired height to the front, rear and side pieces by screws or other devices 11, and with the front, back and sides constitutes part of the frame of the leg.

A reinforcing strip of metal 12 is bent substantially U shaped and parallels the side pieces. Its lower bent end 13 has a free sliding movement'in the groove 14 at the upper edge of the foot, the groove preventits springing out laterally, but allowing the end 18 to move, to slide back and forth with respect to the foot.

Extensions 15 for the attachment of the leg above the knee have knife-blade hinged connections 16 through the pivots 17, as shown. v

In the form shown in Fig. 3, the sides are made in two pieces 18 and 19, and hinged to the foot proper by a pin 20, and these are preferably jointed at 21 and 22. Reinforcing strip 26 secured at 27 to the front strip is passed over the knee, and bears freely at its lower end 29 on the front strip of the leg at a point below the knee. A corresponding reinforcing strip 30 is secured at 31 to the'back strip and bears freely at its lower end 32 lower. down on the back strip. This form is only used when the leg is off above the knee, when an artificial knee, as it were, is desired.

It is understood that the foregoing constitutes the framework merely, but while all these parts or practically all of them are adapted to be used if the legis amputated at or above the knee, at the same time only the parts below the knee are required in the event that the leg is amputated lower down or in the region of the knee. 1

This framework may be fastened with the usual strap, belt or suspenders, and is adapted to be covered with leather or other suitable material.

Some light substance may be used as a filler for the leg, giving it proper shape, and

it would in some cases answer for the stump to rest on in place of the metal rest'which has to be padded,

I claim: V

1. A framework for an artificial leg and foot comprising a foot proper, a bottom or sole secured theretowith one end protruding beyond the foot proper, front, rear and side strips connected with the foot; the extreme lower end of the front strip in position to reinforce the protruding end of the sole.

2. A framework for an artificial leg and foot comprising a foot proper, a bottom or sole secured thereto with one end protruding beyond the foot proper, front, rear and side strips connected with the foot, the crtreme lower end of the front strip free and in position to support and reinforce the protruding end of the bottom or sole when the latter is pressed upwardly beyond a predetermined point;

3. A framework for an artificial leg and foot. comprising a foot proper, front and rear strips secured thereto, and side strips hinged'to the foot.

4. A framework for an artificial leg and foot comprising a foot proper, front and rear strips secured thereto, side strips hinged to the foot, and a U-shaped reinforcing strip secured to the sides, and the bent portion reaching to a point in proximity to the upper edge of thefoot. r

5. A framework for an artificial leg and foot comprising a foot proper, front and rear strips secured thereto, side strips hinged to the foot, a U-shaped reinforcing strip secured to the sides, the bent portion reaching to a pointin proximity to the upper edge of the foot, and having forward and backward sliding connection with the upper edge of the foot, and means to limit the lateral movement of the lower bent end.

of the U-shaped strip with respect to the foot. 1

6. A framework for an artificial leg and foot comprising a foot proper, front, rear and side strips, the front and rear strips foot comprising a foot proper, front and rear strips secured thereto, side strips hinged to the foot proper, a single reinforcing strip secured to the side strips, and a stumpsupport secured to the front and rear side and reinforcing strips.

8; A framework for an artificial leg and foot comprising a foot proper, front and rear strips secured thereto, side strips hinged to the foot proper, and extensions having knife-blade hinged connections with the upper ends of the side strips.

9. A framework for an artificial leg and foot comprising a foot, metal front and rear strips securely fastened to the foot, and intermediate side bars hinged to the foot.-

10. A framework for an artificial leg and foot comprising a foot, front and rear strips securely fastened to the foot, intermediate side bars hinged to the foot, and upper front, side strips hinged to the upper ends of the first-mentioned strips.

11. A framework for an artificial leg and foot comprising afoot, metal front and rear front and back strips, and bearing lower' down 'on the front and back strips to throw the foot forward in walking. 7

12. An artificial leg and foot comprising a foot, side barshinged thereto, front and rear strips securely fastened to the foot, and springs secured to the front and rear strips and bearing freely at their other ends upon the strips lower down to throw the foot for ward in walking.

13. An artificial footand leg comprising a foot having a spring extension, front and rear strips securely fastened to the forward and rear parts of the "foot, and side strips hinged to the foot at a point intermediate of the point of fastening of the front and rear strips.

ELBRIDGE e. HADEN. 

